Travel Guides

Sun Studio

Visitors who come to Memphis to pay homage to Elvis Presley
inevitably find their way to the legendary recording studio in
Union Avenue where the King of rock 'n roll's career, and that of
numerous other stars, began. The story is that Elvis first walked
into the Sun Studio in the early 1950s to record a song as a
birthday present for his mother. The owner of the studio was
self-taught, and made several 'mistakes' that resulted in the sound
we now know as the first version of rock 'n roll.

The rest is musical history, now enshrined in the studio that
also launched the likes of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee
Lewis on the road to stardom. Visitors to the studio can hear
outtakes from recording sessions, touch Elvis' first microphone,
view a great deal of memorabilia, and listen to anecdotes.
Alongside the studio is the Sun Studio Café, a diner that
retains its 1950s style and is still a favourite musician's
hangout.

The studio still hosts live sessions and recordings with current
artists. Free shuttles are on hand to transport visitors to and
from either Graceland or the Rock 'n Soul Museum.